[go: up one dir, main page]

EP0583188B1 - Process for butt welding at least two steel sheets - Google Patents

Process for butt welding at least two steel sheets Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0583188B1
EP0583188B1 EP93401935A EP93401935A EP0583188B1 EP 0583188 B1 EP0583188 B1 EP 0583188B1 EP 93401935 A EP93401935 A EP 93401935A EP 93401935 A EP93401935 A EP 93401935A EP 0583188 B1 EP0583188 B1 EP 0583188B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
laser beam
sheets
sheet
focal point
axis
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP93401935A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0583188A1 (en
Inventor
Jérôme Guth
Nathalie Philbois
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sollac SA
Original Assignee
Sollac SA
Lorraine de Laminage Continu SA SOLLAC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=9432609&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=EP0583188(B1) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by Sollac SA, Lorraine de Laminage Continu SA SOLLAC filed Critical Sollac SA
Publication of EP0583188A1 publication Critical patent/EP0583188A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0583188B1 publication Critical patent/EP0583188B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
    • B23K26/00—Working by laser beam, e.g. welding, cutting or boring
    • B23K26/20—Bonding
    • B23K26/21—Bonding by welding
    • B23K26/24—Seam welding
    • B23K26/26—Seam welding of rectilinear seams
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
    • B23K26/00—Working by laser beam, e.g. welding, cutting or boring
    • B23K26/20—Bonding
    • B23K26/21—Bonding by welding
    • B23K26/24—Seam welding
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
    • B23K2103/00—Materials to be soldered, welded or cut
    • B23K2103/02—Iron or ferrous alloys
    • B23K2103/04—Steel or steel alloys

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an edge-to-edge welding process of sheets of different thicknesses by means of a laser beam, more particularly of so-called thin sheets of thickness less than 3 mm.
  • Laser welding has found an important industrial outlet, particularly in the production of blanked blanks, for example for the automobile industry.
  • Edge-to-edge welding of sheets by means of a laser beam is carried out without filler metal and requires very high requirements of precision, shape and position of the sheets to be welded.
  • the sheets must have been cut beforehand by means of a shear or a laser beam with a precision such that the play between said sheets is minimum to ensure good quality of the contact between the sheets at the plane of attached.
  • the standards defined by the automobile manufacturers impose that for sheets whose thickness is less than 1mm, the total value of the collapse of the weld joint, that is to say the cumulative value of the collapse in upper and lower part of the sheets, does not exceed 20% of the thickness of the thinner sheet.
  • the total value of the collapse of the welded joint must not exceed 10% of the thickness of the sheet of thinner thickness.
  • This additional molten metal makes it possible to fill the gaps present between the sheets.
  • This operation makes it possible to obtain a vertical bulge of metal on the edges of the lateral faces in order to provide additional material at the level of the clearances during welding.
  • EP-A-0 531 139 which represents the closest state of the art according to Article 54 (3) of the EPC is known to have an edge-to-edge welding process of two sheets of different thicknesses using of a laser beam.
  • the laser beam is offset in the thickest sheet and this laser beam is perpendicular to the joint plane of the sheets.
  • the laser beam alternately winds from the thick sheet into the thinner sheet.
  • JP-A-62-144 888 and EP-A-0 279 866 are edge-to-edge welding processes of sheets of different thicknesses in which the laser beam is directed in the joint plane of the sheets. This laser beam is possibly oriented at 45 ° in the direction of the thickest sheet.
  • the object of the present invention is to propose a method of edge-to-edge welding of sheets of different thicknesses by means of a laser beam making it possible to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above.
  • the method according to the present invention consists of welding edge to edge two sheets of different thicknesses, by means of a laser beam 3, a sheet 1 of thickness e 1 and a sheet 2 of thickness e 2 less than e 1.
  • the main face 1b of the sheet 1 opposite to the main face 1a on which the laser beam 3 is directed is located in the same plane as one 2b of the main faces 2a and 2b of the sheet 2 .
  • the distance d from the vertical axis XX passing through the focal point P of the laser beam 3 with respect to the joint plane 7 of the sheets 1 and 2 is between 0.2 and 0.3 times the difference of thickness (e 1 - e 2 ) between said sheets 1 and 2.
  • the sheets 1 and 2 can be offset relative to each other as shown in FIG. 3.
  • the distance from the vertical axis XX passing through the focal point P of the laser beam 3 relative to the joint plane 7 of the sheets 1 and 2 is included between 0.2 and 0.3 times the height difference d 1 between the main faces 1a and 2a of the sheets 1 and 2, at the joint plane 7 on the side of the laser beam 3.
  • the focal point P of the laser beam 3 is situated substantially at one third of the thickness e 1 of the thickest sheet 1 below the face la of said sheet on which the laser beam 3.
  • the surface S 2 corresponds to the metal which has flowed from the surface S 1 into the possible spaces present at the joint plane and on the surface of the sheet 2.
  • a welded zone 10 which presents an almost perfect continuity between the two thicknesses e 1 and e 2 of the sheets 1 and 2 when the distance d is between 0.2 and 0.3 times the difference in thickness between said sheets. sheets 1 and 2 or the difference in height between the main faces of sheets 1 and 2 on the side of the laser beam 3.
  • the axis Y-Y of the laser beam 3 can be perpendicular to the main face 1a of the thickest sheet 1 on which it is directed, which is most often the case for welding sheets of different thicknesses.
  • the difference in thickness (e 1 - e 2 ) is greater than 1 mm
  • the axis YY of the laser beam forms with the vertical axis XX passing through the focal point P of said laser beam 3, at an angle ⁇ between 2 and 15 °.
  • the axis YY is inclined relative to the axis XX by an angle ⁇ , expressed in degrees, between 6 ( ⁇ e - 0.2) and 6 ⁇ e + 3, ⁇ e being the difference in thickness of the two sheets 1 and 2 expressed in millimeters.
  • This inclination condition of the axis Y-Y of the laser beam 3 is important in order to obtain a connection profile of the perfect welded joint.
  • the method according to the present invention allows to weld edge to edge at least two sheets of different thicknesses by optimizing the connection profile of the welded joint, that is to say by producing a welded joint having neither beads nor hollow.
  • the welded joints thus obtained exhibit mechanical strength, essentially in fatigue and in traction, since the discontinuities are eliminated.
  • the line of the connection between the two sheets has perfect continuity, said line being tangent to the surfaces of the sheets, therefore without angular points, incipient fractures.
  • the surface condition obtained is entirely compatible with a subsequent stamping operation.
  • the vertical axis XX passing through the focal point of the laser beam has been defined by assuming that the sheets are arranged horizontally.
  • this axis X-X is perpendicular to the main face of the sheet on which the laser beam is directed.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Laser Beam Processing (AREA)
  • Arc Welding In General (AREA)
  • Butt Welding And Welding Of Specific Article (AREA)
  • Laminated Bodies (AREA)
  • Lining Or Joining Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

The subject of the invention is a method of butt welding at least two metal sheets (1, 2) of various thicknesses, by means of a laser beam (3). The method consists in bringing the metal sheets (1, 2) into contact at their side faces (4, 5) to be joined end to end, in directing the laser beam (3) towards the thicker metal sheet (1) so that the vertical axis X-X, which passes through the focal point P of the laser beam (3) on the said metal sheet (1), is at a defined distance from the junction plane (7) of the metal sheets, and in producing a welded joint at the side faces (4, 5) joined end to end, by locally melting the said metal sheets by means of a laser beam (3). <IMAGE>

Description

La présente invention a pour objet un procédé de soudage bord à bord de tôles de différentes épaisseurs au moyen d'un faisceau laser, plus particulièrement de tôles dites minces d'épaisseur inférieure à 3mm.The present invention relates to an edge-to-edge welding process of sheets of different thicknesses by means of a laser beam, more particularly of so-called thin sheets of thickness less than 3 mm.

Le soudage laser a trouvé un débouché industriel important notamment dans la production de flans raboutés, par exemple pour l'industrie automobile.Laser welding has found an important industrial outlet, particularly in the production of blanked blanks, for example for the automobile industry.

Le soudage bord à bord de tôles au moyen d'un faisceau laser est réalisé sans métal d'apport et demande de très hautes exigences de précision, de forme et de position des tôles à souder.Edge-to-edge welding of sheets by means of a laser beam is carried out without filler metal and requires very high requirements of precision, shape and position of the sheets to be welded.

A cet effet, les tôles doivent avoir été préalablement coupées au moyen d'une cisaille ou d'un faisceau laser avec une précision telle que le jeu entre lesdites tôles soit minimum pour assurer une bonne qualité du contact entre les tôles au niveau du plan de joint.For this purpose, the sheets must have been cut beforehand by means of a shear or a laser beam with a precision such that the play between said sheets is minimum to ensure good quality of the contact between the sheets at the plane of attached.

Si la qualité du contact au niveau du plan de joint entre les tôles à souder est incorrect, c'est à dire si le jeu entre les tôles à souder est trop important, il peut arriver que le joint soudé ne soit pas continu et présente des trous.If the quality of the contact at the joint plane between the plates to be welded is incorrect, i.e. if the clearance between the plates to be welded is too great, it may happen that the welded joint is not continuous and presents holes.

D'autre part, si le jeu entre les tôles au niveau du plan de joint est localement trop important, le joint soudé peut présenter un effondrement.On the other hand, if the clearance between the sheets at the joint plane is locally too great, the welded joint may present a collapse.

Un tel effondrement du plan de joint est toléré si il ne dépasse pas certaines limites.Such a collapse of the parting line is tolerated if it does not exceed certain limits.

Ainsi, les normes définies par les constructeurs automobiles imposent que pour des tôles dont l'épaisseur est inférieure à 1mm, la valeur totale de l'effondrement du joint à souder, c'est à dire le cumul de la valeur de l'effondrement en partie supérieure et partie inférieure des tôles, ne dépasse pas 20% de l'épaisseur de la tôle de plus faible épaisseur.Thus, the standards defined by the automobile manufacturers impose that for sheets whose thickness is less than 1mm, the total value of the collapse of the weld joint, that is to say the cumulative value of the collapse in upper and lower part of the sheets, does not exceed 20% of the thickness of the thinner sheet.

De même, pour des tôles d'épaisseur supérieure à 1mm, la valeur totale de l'effondrement du joint soudé ne doit pas dépasser 10% de l'épaisseur de la tôle de plus faible épaisseur.Likewise, for sheets of thickness greater than 1mm, the total value of the collapse of the welded joint must not exceed 10% of the thickness of the sheet of thinner thickness.

Pour limiter ces risques de joint non continu ou d'effondrement trop important, jusqu'à présent on améliore la qualité du cisaillage des tôles afin de limiter les ondulations des arêtes de coupe et d'assurer un meilleur contact des tôles entre elles pour mieux maîtriser le jeu entre lesdites tôles.To limit these risks of non-continuous joint or excessive collapse, up to now we have improved the quality of sheet metal shearing in order to limit the undulations of the cutting edges and to ensure better contact of the sheets with each other to better control the clearance between said sheets.

Mais, pour obtenir un tel résultat, il est nécessaire d'investir dans des cisailles très précises de coût important ou d'utiliser des cisailles doubles permettant de couper simultanément, avec la même lame, les deux tôles à rabouter.But, to obtain such a result, it is necessary to invest in very precise shears of significant cost or to use double shears making it possible to cut simultaneously, with the same blade, the two sheets to be butt-jointed.

Pour s'affranchir de cette opération de cisaillage de précision coûteuse et délicate, il est connu d'effectuer la soudure avec un fil d'apport consommable se déroulant au point de soudage.To overcome this costly and delicate precision shearing operation, it is known to perform welding with a consumable filler wire taking place at the welding point.

Ce métal supplémentaire en fusion permet de combler les jeux présents entre les tôles.This additional molten metal makes it possible to fill the gaps present between the sheets.

Il est également connu de former préalablement les faces latérales des tôles destinées à être raboutées, par exemple par martelage avant soudage.It is also known to form the lateral faces of the sheets intended to be butted together beforehand, for example by hammering before welding.

Cette opération permet d'obtenir un renflement vertical de métal sur les bords des faces latérales afin de fournir de la matière supplémentaire au niveau des jeux pendant le soudage.This operation makes it possible to obtain a vertical bulge of metal on the edges of the lateral faces in order to provide additional material at the level of the clearances during welding.

Dans les deux cas, les problèmes liés à la présence de jeux entre les tôles sont résolus, mais les soudures produites présentent souvent des bourrelets au niveau de la face supérieure et également de la face inférieure.In both cases, the problems associated with the presence of clearances between the sheets are resolved, but the welds produced often have beads at the level of the upper face and also of the lower face.

Ces bourrelets endommagent le poinçon et la matrice lors d'un l'emboutissage ultérieur de la pièce soudée et cela est d'autant plus significatif que la zone affectée thermiquement possède, surtout en surface, une dureté au moins deux fois supérieures à la dureté du métal de base.These beads damage the punch and the matrix during a subsequent stamping of the welded part and this is all the more significant since the heat affected zone has, especially on the surface, a hardness at least twice greater than the hardness of the base metal.

De plus, ces procédés connus sont difficilement transposables au soudage de tôles de différentes épaisseurs.In addition, these known methods are difficult to transpose to the welding of sheets of different thicknesses.

On connaît dans le brevet EP-A-0 531 139 qui représente l'état de la technique le plus proche selon l'Article 54(3) de la CBE, un procédé de soudage bord à bord de deux tôles de différentes épaisseurs au moyen d'un faisceau laser.EP-A-0 531 139 which represents the closest state of the art according to Article 54 (3) of the EPC is known to have an edge-to-edge welding process of two sheets of different thicknesses using of a laser beam.

Dans ce procédé, le faisceau laser est décalé dans la tôle la plus épaisse et ce faisceau laser est perpendiculaire au plan de joint des tôles. Pour assurer la continuité de la zone soudée, le faisceau laser serpente alternativement de la tôle épaisse dans la tôle la moins épaisse.In this method, the laser beam is offset in the thickest sheet and this laser beam is perpendicular to the joint plane of the sheets. To ensure the continuity of the welded area, the laser beam alternately winds from the thick sheet into the thinner sheet.

On connaît également dans les brevets JP-A-62-144 888 et EP-A-0 279 866 des procédés de soudage bord à bord de tôles de différentes épaisseurs dans lesquels le faisceau laser est dirigé dans le plan de joint des tôles. Ce faisceau laser est éventuellement orienté à 45° en direction de la tôle la plus épaisse.Also known in patents JP-A-62-144 888 and EP-A-0 279 866 are edge-to-edge welding processes of sheets of different thicknesses in which the laser beam is directed in the joint plane of the sheets. This laser beam is possibly oriented at 45 ° in the direction of the thickest sheet.

La présente invention a pour but de proposer un procédé de soudage bord à bord de tôles de différentes épaisseurs au moyen d'un faisceau laser permettant de s'affranchir des inconvénients mentionnés ci-dessus.The object of the present invention is to propose a method of edge-to-edge welding of sheets of different thicknesses by means of a laser beam making it possible to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above.

La présente invention a pour objet un procédé de soudage bord à bord d'au moins deux tôles de différentes épaisseurs, au moyen d'un faisceau laser, procédé dans lequel :

  • on amène les tôles en contact au niveau de leurs faces latérales à rabouter,
  • on dirige le faisceau laser en direction de la tôle la plus épaisse pour que l'axe vertical passant par le point focal du faisceau laser sur ladite tôle soit à une distance déterminée du plan de joint des tôles, l'axe Y-Y du faisceau laser étant incliné par rapport à la verticale d'un angle déterminé et orienté vers la tôle la plus épaisse,
  • et on réalise un joint soudé au niveau des faces latérales raboutées par fusion locale desdites tôles au moyen du faisceau laser.
The subject of the present invention is a method of welding edge to edge of at least two sheets of different thicknesses, by means of a laser beam, method in which:
  • the sheets are brought into contact at their lateral faces to be butted together,
  • we direct the laser beam towards the thickest sheet so that the vertical axis passing through the focal point of the laser beam on said sheet is at a determined distance from the joint plane of the sheets, the axis YY of the laser beam being inclined with respect to the vertical by a determined angle and oriented towards the thickest sheet ,
  • and a welded joint is produced at the level of the side faces which are butted together by local fusion of said sheets by means of the laser beam.

Selon d'autres caractéristiques de l'invention :

  • la distance de l'axe vertical passant par le point focal du faisceau laser par rapport au plan de joint des tôles est compris ente 0,2 et 0,3 fois la différence de hauteur entre les faces principales desdites tôles, au niveau du plan de joint du côté du faisceau laser,
  • l'axe du faisceau laser forme avec l'axe vertical passant par le point focal dudit faisceau laser, un angle, exprimé en degrés, compris entre 6 (Δe - 0,2) et 6 Δe + 3, Δe étant la différence d'épaisseur entre les deux tôles, exprimée en millimètres,
  • l'axe du faisceau laser forme avec l'axe vertical passant par le point focal dudit faisceau laser, un angle compris entre 2 et 15°,
  • le point focal du faisceau laser est situé sensiblement à un tiers de l'épaisseur de la tôle la plus épaisse au-dessous de la face de ladite tôle sur laquelle est dirigé le faisceau laser.
According to other characteristics of the invention:
  • the distance from the vertical axis passing through the focal point of the laser beam with respect to the joint plane of the sheets is between 0.2 and 0.3 times the difference in height between the main faces of said sheets, at the plane of joint on the laser beam side,
  • the axis of the laser beam forms with the vertical axis passing through the focal point of said laser beam, an angle, expressed in degrees, between 6 (Δe - 0.2) and 6 Δe + 3, Δe being the difference of thickness between the two sheets, expressed in millimeters,
  • the axis of the laser beam forms with the vertical axis passing through the focal point of said laser beam, an angle between 2 and 15 °,
  • the focal point of the laser beam is located substantially at one third of the thickness of the thickest sheet below the face of said sheet on which the laser beam is directed.

Les caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront au cours de la description qui va suivre, donnée uniquement à titre d'exemple, faite en référence aux dessins annexés, dans lesquels :

  • la Fig. 1 est une vue schématique en lévation de deux tôles de différentes épaisseurs, pendant le soudage par le procédé selon la présente invention, dans le cas où deux faces principales de ces tôles sont situées dans un même plan.
  • la Fig. 2 est une vue schématique en coupe transversale des deux tôles, après soudage par le procédé selon la présente invention.
  • la Fig. 3 est une vue schématique en élévation de deux tôles de différentes épaisseurs, pendant le soudage par le procéde selon la présente invention, dans le cas où les faces principales de ces tôles ne sont pas situées dans un même plan.
The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the description which follows, given solely by way of example, made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic elevation view of two sheets of different thicknesses, during welding by the process according to the present invention, in the case where two main faces of these sheets are located in the same plane.
  • Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the two sheets, after welding by the method according to the present invention.
  • Fig. 3 is a schematic elevation view of two sheets of different thicknesses, during welding by the method according to the present invention, in the case where the main faces of these sheets are not located in the same plane.

Le procédé selon la présente invention consiste à souder bord à bord deux tôles d'épaisseurs différentes, au moyen d'un faisceau laser 3, une tôle 1 d'épaisseur e1 et une tôle 2 d'épaisseur e2 inférieure à e1. The method according to the present invention consists of welding edge to edge two sheets of different thicknesses, by means of a laser beam 3, a sheet 1 of thickness e 1 and a sheet 2 of thickness e 2 less than e 1.

Le procédé selon la présente invention consiste :

  • à amener les tôles 1 et 2 en contact au niveau de leurs faces latérales 4 et 5 à rabouter, c'est à dire au niveau de leurs bords 4 et 5 à rabouter.
  • à diriger le faisceau laser 3 en direction de la face supérieure la de la tôle la plus épaisse 1 pour que l'axe vertical X-X perpendiculaire à la face supérieure la de ladite tôle 1 et passant par le point focal P du faisceau laser 3, soit à une distance déterminée d du plan de joint 7 desdites tôles 1 et 2,
  • et à réaliser un joint soudé au niveau du plan de joint 7 par fusion locale des tôles 1 et 2 au moyen du faisceau laser 3, soit en déplaçant ledit faisceau laser par rapport auxdites tôles, soit en déplaçant ces tôles au-dessous du faisceau laser 3.
The method according to the present invention consists of:
  • bringing the sheets 1 and 2 into contact at their lateral faces 4 and 5 to be butted, that is to say at their edges 4 and 5 to be butted.
  • directing the laser beam 3 in the direction of the upper face la of the thickest sheet 1 so that the vertical axis XX perpendicular to the upper face la of said sheet 1 and passing through the focal point P of the laser beam 3, either at a determined distance d from the joint plane 7 of said sheets 1 and 2,
  • and making a welded joint at the joint plane 7 by local fusion of the sheets 1 and 2 by means of the laser beam 3, either by moving said laser beam relative to said sheets, or by moving these sheets below the laser beam 3.

Sur les figures 1 et 2, la face principale 1b de la tôle 1 opposée à la face principale 1a sur laquelle est dirigé le faisceau laser 3 est située dans le même plan que l'une 2b des faces principales 2a et 2b de la tôle 2.In FIGS. 1 and 2, the main face 1b of the sheet 1 opposite to the main face 1a on which the laser beam 3 is directed is located in the same plane as one 2b of the main faces 2a and 2b of the sheet 2 .

Dans ce cas, la distance d de l'axe vertical X-X passant par le point focal P du faisceau laser 3 par rapport au plan de joint 7 des tôles 1 et 2 est comprise ente 0,2 et 0,3 fois la différence d'épaisseur (e1 - e2) entre lesdites tôles 1 et 2.In this case, the distance d from the vertical axis XX passing through the focal point P of the laser beam 3 with respect to the joint plane 7 of the sheets 1 and 2 is between 0.2 and 0.3 times the difference of thickness (e 1 - e 2 ) between said sheets 1 and 2.

Les tôles 1 et 2 peuvent être décalées l'une par rapport à l'autre comme représenté sur la Fig. 3.The sheets 1 and 2 can be offset relative to each other as shown in FIG. 3.

Dans ce cas, la distance de l'axe vertical X-X passant par le point focal P du faisceau laser 3 par rapport au plan de joint 7 des tôles 1 et 2 est comprise entre 0,2 et 0,3 fois la différence de hauteur d1 entre les faces principales 1a et 2a des tôles 1 et 2, au niveau du plan de joint 7 du côté du faisceau laser 3.In this case, the distance from the vertical axis XX passing through the focal point P of the laser beam 3 relative to the joint plane 7 of the sheets 1 and 2 is included between 0.2 and 0.3 times the height difference d 1 between the main faces 1a and 2a of the sheets 1 and 2, at the joint plane 7 on the side of the laser beam 3.

Afin de réaliser un joint soudé correct, le point focal P du faisceau laser 3 est situé sensiblement à un tiers de l'épaisseur e1 de la tôle 1 la plus épaisse au-dessous de la face la de ladite tôle sur laquelle est dirigé le faisceau laser 3.In order to achieve a correct welded joint, the focal point P of the laser beam 3 is situated substantially at one third of the thickness e 1 of the thickest sheet 1 below the face la of said sheet on which the laser beam 3.

Comme représenté sur la Fig. 2, en décalant le faisceau laser 3 dans la tôle 1 la plus épaisse par rapport au plan de joint 7, le métal situé dans la surface S1 de la tôle 1 est fondu et s'écoule de façon à former la surface S2 sur la tôle 2.As shown in Fig. 2, by shifting the laser beam 3 in the thickest sheet 1 relative to the joint plane 7, the metal located in the surface S 1 of the sheet 1 is melted and flows so as to form the surface S 2 on sheet 2.

La surface S2 correspond au métal qui s'est écoulé de la surface S1 dans les espaces éventuels présents au niveau du plan de joint et sur la surface de la tôle 2.The surface S 2 corresponds to the metal which has flowed from the surface S 1 into the possible spaces present at the joint plane and on the surface of the sheet 2.

Ainsi, on obtient une zone soudée 10 qui présente une continuité presque parfaite entre les deux épaisseurs e1 et e2 des tôles 1 et 2 lorsque la distance d est comprise entre 0,2 et 0,3 fois la différence d'épaisseur entre lesdites tôles 1 et 2 ou la différence de hauteur entre les faces principales des tôles 1 et 2 du côté du faisceau laser 3.Thus, a welded zone 10 is obtained which presents an almost perfect continuity between the two thicknesses e 1 and e 2 of the sheets 1 and 2 when the distance d is between 0.2 and 0.3 times the difference in thickness between said sheets. sheets 1 and 2 or the difference in height between the main faces of sheets 1 and 2 on the side of the laser beam 3.

Dans ce cas, on se place dans le cas optimum du raccord, la ligne du raccord étant tangente aux surfaces des tôles 1 et 2.In this case, we place ourselves in the optimum case of the fitting, the line of the fitting being tangent to the surfaces of the sheets 1 and 2.

Lors du soudage, l'axe Y-Y du faisceau laser 3 peut être perpendiculaire à la face principale 1a de la tôle 1 la plus épaisse sur laquelle il est dirigé ce qui est le plus souvent le cas pour le soudage de tôles de différentes épaisseurs.During welding, the axis Y-Y of the laser beam 3 can be perpendicular to the main face 1a of the thickest sheet 1 on which it is directed, which is most often the case for welding sheets of different thicknesses.

Toutefois, particulièrement dans le cas de soudage de tôles 1 et 2 dont la différence d'épaisseur (e1 - e2) est supérieure à 1mm, on améliore sensiblement la forme du joint soudé entre les deux tôles 1 et 2 en inclinant le faisceau laser 3 par rapport à la verticale d'un angle α déterminé et orienté vers la tôle 1 la plus épaisse. Dans ce cas, l'axe Y-Y du faisceau laser forme avec l'axe vertical X-X passant par le point focal P dudit faisceau laser 3, d'un angle α compris entre 2 et 15°.However, particularly in the case of welding of sheets 1 and 2, the difference in thickness (e 1 - e 2 ) is greater than 1 mm, there is a marked improvement the shape of the welded joint between the two sheets 1 and 2 by tilting the laser beam 3 relative to the vertical by a determined angle α and oriented towards the thickest sheet 1. In this case, the axis YY of the laser beam forms with the vertical axis XX passing through the focal point P of said laser beam 3, at an angle α between 2 and 15 °.

De préférence, l'axe Y-Y est incliné par rapport à l'axe X-X d'un angle α, exprimé en degrés, compris entre 6 (Δe - 0,2) et 6 Δe + 3, Δe étant la différence d'épaisseur des deux tôles 1 et 2 exprimée en millimètres.Preferably, the axis YY is inclined relative to the axis XX by an angle α, expressed in degrees, between 6 (Δe - 0.2) and 6 Δe + 3, Δe being the difference in thickness of the two sheets 1 and 2 expressed in millimeters.

Cette condition d'inclinaison de l'axe Y-Y du faisceau laser 3 est importante pour obtenir un profil de raccordement du joint soudé parfait.This inclination condition of the axis Y-Y of the laser beam 3 is important in order to obtain a connection profile of the perfect welded joint.

En effet, si l'axe Y-Y du faisceau laser 3 est incliné d'un angle α supérieur à 6 Δe + 3, le joint soudé présente des porosités inacceptables, car préjudiciables à sa tenue mécanique.In fact, if the axis Y-Y of the laser beam 3 is inclined by an angle α greater than 6 Δe + 3, the welded joint has unacceptable porosities, since these are detrimental to its mechanical strength.

Le procédé selon la présente invention permet de souder bord à bord au moins deux tôles de différentes épaisseurs en optimisant le profil de raccordement du joint soudé, c'est à dire en produisant un joint soudé ne possédant, ni bourrelets, ni creux.The method according to the present invention allows to weld edge to edge at least two sheets of different thicknesses by optimizing the connection profile of the welded joint, that is to say by producing a welded joint having neither beads nor hollow.

Les joints soudés ainsi obtenus présentent une tenue mécanique, essentiellement en fatigue et en traction, car les discontinuités sont supprimées.The welded joints thus obtained exhibit mechanical strength, essentially in fatigue and in traction, since the discontinuities are eliminated.

En effet la ligne du raccord entre les deux tôles présente une continuité parfaite, ladite ligne étant tangente aux surfaces des tôles, donc sans points anguleux, amorces de rupture.Indeed, the line of the connection between the two sheets has perfect continuity, said line being tangent to the surfaces of the sheets, therefore without angular points, incipient fractures.

De plus, l'état de surface obtenu est tout à fait compatible avec une opération d'emboutissage ultérieur.In addition, the surface condition obtained is entirely compatible with a subsequent stamping operation.

Dans la description et les revendications, l'axe vertical X-X passant par le point focal du faisceau laser a été défini en supposant que les tôles sont disposées horizontalement.In the description and the claims, the vertical axis XX passing through the focal point of the laser beam has been defined by assuming that the sheets are arranged horizontally.

D'une manière générale, cet axe X-X est perpendiculaire à la face principale de la tôle sur laquelle est dirigé le faisceau laser.Generally, this axis X-X is perpendicular to the main face of the sheet on which the laser beam is directed.

Claims (5)

  1. Process for the edge to edge welding of at least two sheets (1, 2) of different thicknesses by means of a laser beam (3), wherein:
    - the sheets (1, 2) are brought into contact at their lateral faces (4, 5) to be joined end to end,
    - the laser beam (3) is directed towards the thickest sheet (1), so that the vertical axis X-X passing through the focal point P of the laser beam (3) on said sheet (1) is at a given distance d from the mating surfaces (7) of the sheets (1, 2), the axis Y-Y of the laser beam (3) being inclined relative to the vertical by a given angle α and oriented towards the thickest sheet (1),
    - a welded joint is made at the lateral faces (4, 5) joined end to end by the local melting of said sheets using a laser beam (3).
  2. Welding process according to claim 1, characterized in that the distance d is between 0.2 and 0.3 times the height difference between the main faces (1a, 2a) of said sheets (1, 2) at the mating surfaces on the side of the laser beam (3).
  3. Welding process according to claim 1, characterized in that the axis Y-Y of the laser beam (3) forms with the vertical axis X-X passing through the focal point P of said laser beam (3), an angle α, expressed in degrees, between 6 ( Δe - 0.2) and 6 Δe + 3, Δe being the thickness difference between the two sheets (1, 2), expressed in mm.
  4. Welding process according to claim 1, characterized in that the axis Y-Y of the laser beam (3) forms with the vertical axis X-X passing through the focal point P of said laser beam (3), an angle between 2 and 15°.
  5. Welding process according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the focal point P of the laser beam (3) is located substantially at one third of the thickness of the thickest sheet (1) below the face of said sheet (1) onto which is directed the laser beam (3).
EP93401935A 1992-08-04 1993-07-26 Process for butt welding at least two steel sheets Expired - Lifetime EP0583188B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9209671A FR2694514B1 (en) 1992-08-04 1992-08-04 Edge-to-edge welding process of at least two sheets.
FR9209671 1992-08-04

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0583188A1 EP0583188A1 (en) 1994-02-16
EP0583188B1 true EP0583188B1 (en) 1997-02-12

Family

ID=9432609

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP93401935A Expired - Lifetime EP0583188B1 (en) 1992-08-04 1993-07-26 Process for butt welding at least two steel sheets

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US5393956A (en)
EP (1) EP0583188B1 (en)
JP (1) JP3405769B2 (en)
AT (1) ATE148847T1 (en)
CA (1) CA2101515C (en)
DE (1) DE69308086T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2100488T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2694514B1 (en)

Families Citing this family (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4445856C1 (en) * 1994-12-22 1996-06-27 Thyssen Industrie Tool for reworking by reshaping at least two sheets of different thicknesses which are connected to one another by a butt weld in the area of a step to form a sheet metal plate, in particular for use in body construction in the motor vehicle industry and by means of the tool body part consisting of at least two sheets
FR2732631B1 (en) * 1995-04-04 1997-06-20 Lorraine Laminage FORM PART FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE OR RAIL VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SUCH A FORM PART
US5591360A (en) * 1995-04-12 1997-01-07 The Twentyfirst Century Corporation Method of butt welding
US5814786A (en) * 1995-11-08 1998-09-29 Littell International, Inc. System and method for laser butt-welding
GB2327300A (en) * 1996-04-25 1999-01-20 Strix Ltd Electrical contacts
GB9608482D0 (en) * 1996-04-25 1996-07-03 Strix Ltd Electrical contacts
DE19636212C1 (en) * 1996-09-06 1997-10-23 Daimler Benz Ag Laser welding method for abutting metal plates
US6087619A (en) * 1997-05-13 2000-07-11 Fraunhofer Usa Resource Center Dual intensity multi-beam welding system
JP3196699B2 (en) * 1997-09-04 2001-08-06 住友電気工業株式会社 Optical component assembling method and optical component
US6204469B1 (en) * 1999-03-04 2001-03-20 Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Laser welding system
DE19948013A1 (en) * 1999-10-06 2001-05-17 Thyssenkrupp Stahl Ag Joining metal sheet with beam welding involves inclining axis of weld beam guided along butt joint to surface of sheet towards thick sheet side to pass only through thick sheet
US6483069B2 (en) * 2000-10-02 2002-11-19 The Boeing Company Joining of structural members by welding
FR2825302B1 (en) 2001-06-01 2004-11-26 Eads Airbus Sa METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING METAL PROFILES
US8492675B2 (en) * 2008-04-21 2013-07-23 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Laser welding Al and Fe members with Zn filler
RU2510316C1 (en) * 2012-09-24 2014-03-27 Федеральное государственное бюджетное образовательное учреждение высшего профессионального образования "Национальный исследовательский университет "МЭИ" (ФГБОУ ВПО "НИУ "МЭИ") Method of butt locking of different-thickness parts
DE102012221617A1 (en) * 2012-11-27 2014-06-18 Robert Bosch Gmbh Method for connecting dissimilar metal joining partners by means of a radiation source
JP6093165B2 (en) * 2012-12-06 2017-03-08 株式会社総合車両製作所 Laser welding method
RU2527112C2 (en) * 2012-12-14 2014-08-27 Росссийская Федерация, от имени которой выступает Министерство промышленности и торговли Российской Федерации (Минпромторг России) Method of electron beam welding
JP7035706B2 (en) * 2018-03-28 2022-03-15 トヨタ自動車株式会社 Butt laser welding method for metal parts
ES2900459T3 (en) * 2019-05-02 2022-03-17 Braun Gmbh Motor with a spring-mounted movable motor part and personal hygiene device comprising such a motor

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH0825046B2 (en) * 1985-12-19 1996-03-13 トヨタ自動車株式会社 Laser welding method
EP0279866B2 (en) * 1986-12-22 1996-07-17 Thyssen Stahl Aktiengesellschaft Manufacturing method for a shaped body of sheet metal pieces with different thicknesses
JPH057467A (en) * 1991-06-28 1993-01-19 San Ei Chem Ind Ltd Method for coloring noodles in red
JPH0557467A (en) * 1991-09-05 1993-03-09 Toyota Motor Corp Laser welding method for stocks with different plate thickness

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2101515C (en) 1999-04-06
US5393956A (en) 1995-02-28
JPH06155064A (en) 1994-06-03
FR2694514A1 (en) 1994-02-11
CA2101515A1 (en) 1994-02-05
JP3405769B2 (en) 2003-05-12
ES2100488T3 (en) 1997-06-16
ATE148847T1 (en) 1997-02-15
DE69308086D1 (en) 1997-03-27
FR2694514B1 (en) 1994-10-21
DE69308086T2 (en) 1997-07-10
EP0583188A1 (en) 1994-02-16

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0583188B1 (en) Process for butt welding at least two steel sheets
EP0626231B1 (en) Laser welding process of two workpieces
EP0511746B1 (en) Method of making articles by laser beam welding
EP1190148B1 (en) Beam structure and method for producing such structures
EP0583181B1 (en) Process and arrangement for butt welding steel sheets using a laser beam welding process
JP3942132B2 (en) Welded joint structural material
EP0622150B1 (en) Laser welding method of stamped workpieces flanges
FR2731373A1 (en) Method for welding plates by laser beam for motor vehicle mfr.
FR2694713A1 (en) Welding process for at least two sheets of different thicknesses.
WO2006129025A1 (en) Method for machining metal conduits to form a v-shaped profiled section on pipeline metal pipes; metal conduit; welding method combining in a common laser fusion bath and electric arc for assembling said conduits
EP0607068B1 (en) Procedure for the welding of elements made of aluminium or an aluminium alloy
JP2000176664A (en) Laser beam welding method for aluminum alloy member
EP0604247B1 (en) Butt welding method of at least two plates
FR2807682A1 (en) Metal-inert-gas and metal-active-gas welding of tubular components involves positioning a flange jutting out from lateral surface of the edge of one component into recess in lateral surface of edge of other component
FR2564018A1 (en) Improved welding process for butt welding pipework
JPH04339584A (en) Production of metallic cylindrical body
FR2704469A1 (en) Method of welding at least two sheet-metal panels edge to edge
FR3072140B1 (en) METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING METAL SHEET ELEMENTS
JPH01218781A (en) Butt welding method by laser beam
SU1159741A1 (en) Method of producing welded matching joints
FR2694633A1 (en) Method and device for controlling the contact of two plates placed edge to edge
US20210025417A1 (en) Sheet metal assembly with conditioned weld joint
FR2711559A1 (en) Method of manufacturing butt-joined blanks
EP4452543A1 (en) Mould for aluminothermic welding of rails
FR2800756A1 (en) METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING TWO ADJACENT ELEMENTS OF A TRACK APPARATUS

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IT LI LU NL PT SE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19940504

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19960222

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IT LI LU NL PT SE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 19970212

Ref country code: DK

Effective date: 19970212

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 148847

Country of ref document: AT

Date of ref document: 19970215

Kind code of ref document: T

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed
GBT Gb: translation of ep patent filed (gb section 77(6)(a)/1977)

Effective date: 19970224

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69308086

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19970327

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2100488

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: PT

Ref legal event code: SC4A

Free format text: AVAILABILITY OF NATIONAL TRANSLATION

Effective date: 19970401

PLBQ Unpublished change to opponent data

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS OPPO

PLBQ Unpublished change to opponent data

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS OPPO

PLBI Opposition filed

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009260

PLBF Reply of patent proprietor to notice(s) of opposition

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS OBSO

26 Opposition filed

Opponent name: AUTOMOTIVE TAILOR MADE BLANKS BV

Effective date: 19971112

Opponent name: THYSSEN KRUPP STAHL GMBH

Effective date: 19971107

NLR1 Nl: opposition has been filed with the epo

Opponent name: AUTOMOTIVE TAILOR MADE BLANKS BV

Opponent name: THYSSEN KRUPP STAHL GMBH

PLBF Reply of patent proprietor to notice(s) of opposition

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS OBSO

PLBF Reply of patent proprietor to notice(s) of opposition

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS OBSO

PLBO Opposition rejected

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS REJO

PLBQ Unpublished change to opponent data

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS OPPO

PLAB Opposition data, opponent's data or that of the opponent's representative modified

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009299OPPO

R26 Opposition filed (corrected)

Opponent name: THYSSEN KRUPP STAHL GMBH * 19971112 AUTOMOTIVE TAI

Effective date: 19971107

PLBN Opposition rejected

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009273

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: OPPOSITION REJECTED

NLR1 Nl: opposition has been filed with the epo

Opponent name: AUTOMOTIVE TAILOR MADE BLANKS BV

Opponent name: THYSSEN KRUPP STAHL GMBH

27O Opposition rejected

Effective date: 20000523

NLR2 Nl: decision of opposition
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20020617

Year of fee payment: 10

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 20020618

Year of fee payment: 10

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 20020619

Year of fee payment: 10

Ref country code: AT

Payment date: 20020619

Year of fee payment: 10

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20020626

Year of fee payment: 10

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PT

Payment date: 20020701

Year of fee payment: 10

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20020708

Year of fee payment: 10

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20020715

Year of fee payment: 10

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Payment date: 20020719

Year of fee payment: 10

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20020719

Year of fee payment: 10

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 20020805

Year of fee payment: 10

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20030726

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20030726

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20030726

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20030727

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20030728

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20030731

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20030731

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20030731

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: *SOLLAC

Effective date: 20030731

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20040131

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20040201

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20040203

EUG Se: european patent has lapsed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20030726

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20040331

NLV4 Nl: lapsed or anulled due to non-payment of the annual fee

Effective date: 20040201

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Ref country code: PT

Ref legal event code: MM4A

Free format text: LAPSE DUE TO NON-PAYMENT OF FEES

Effective date: 20040131

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20030728

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.

Effective date: 20050726

PLAB Opposition data, opponent's data or that of the opponent's representative modified

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009299OPPO